As the regular season winds down, fans and analysts alike are abuzz with discussions surrounding the major awards. With votes needing to be cast before the playoffs begin, the suspense is palpable as we anticipate the announcements that will come after the World Series.
The Power of Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge has undeniably been one of the standout performers this season. Leading the majors in home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR, Judge's dominance at the plate is evident in his statistics: a .324 batting average, .460 on-base percentage, and a .703 slugging percentage, resulting in an eye-popping 224 OPS+. Adding to his impressive tally are 57 home runs, 142 RBI, 120 runs, and a 10.6 WAR. Notably, Judge has also been a perfect 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts and has admirably played out of position in center field for much of the season.
Shohei Ohtani: A Dual Threat
Shohei Ohtani's season has been nothing short of historic. Achieving the rare feat of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, Ohtani's versatility and talent are unparalleled. His batting line—.303/.386/.642 with a 187 OPS+—complements his 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, 130 runs, and an 8.6 WAR score. This kind of dual performance would make Ohtani a strong contender for MVP in any other year, but with Judge also having a historic season, the competition is fierce.
Pitcher's Duel: Skubal vs. Sale
In the race for the Cy Young Award, Tarik Skubal and Chris Sale stand out. Skubal's 18-4 record, bolstered by a league-leading 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings, makes a strong case. His 0.92 WHIP shows his dominance on the mound. Despite these impressive stats, it's worth noting the praise for reliever Emmanuel Clase: "Kudos to Emmanuel Clase for an absolutely top-shelf relief season, and if Skubal didn't exist this season in the AL, I would have been ready to make the argument for a reliever."
Chris Sale, on the other hand, has an equally compelling case with an 18-3 record, a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings. Intriguingly, Sale hasn't received a Cy Young vote since 2018, despite consistently finishing in the top six in previous years. Observers are eager to see if this year's performance will finally secure him the elusive award.
Guardians' Improbable Run
The Cleveland Guardians were initially projected to finish around .500, with their gambling win total set at 79 and a likely third-place finish in the AL Central. Despite early setbacks—including season-ending injuries to ace Shane Bieber and underwhelming performances from Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen—the team is half a game away from the best record in the entire American League. Reflecting on their unexpected success, "And yet, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League" sums up the surprise and admiration surrounding their season.
Brewers' Steadfast Ascent
In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers have shown remarkable consistency, not trailing in the NL Central since April 29. They are on track to finish with the largest division lead of any first-place team, despite significant challenges. The departure of Craig Counsell to the Chicago Cubs last winter, combined with Brandon Woodruff's season-ending injury, the Spring training trade of Corbin Burnes, and injuries to key players Devin Williams and Christian Yelich, could have derailed their season. Instead, the internal resilience and leadership have carried them through. As highlighted, "Murphy was promoted from within to take over a team that had already lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season."
Speculative Awards Season
As awards season approaches, predictions are swirling. The author makes it clear, however: "Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win." This statement underscores the speculative nature of awards season, acknowledging the inherent uncertainty of the process. Furthermore, the caution is evident as they state, "I'm an actual voter and any prediction might be perceived as a hint as to which way I'm leaning. I will say, though, it's close enough that I do not yet know for sure how I'm voting."
As voting is finalized and the playoffs begin, the baseball world waits with bated breath to see who will emerge with the season's most prestigious honors. The narratives of resilience, dominance, and historic performances will undoubtedly make this an awards season to remember.